Glen Hansard (he of the the Irish band The Frames) and Czech musician Marketa Irglova are intelligent, down to earth and charming? You don't say?

 

I learned this when interviewing these two fine people (and real life couple)-- co-stars of the charming, touching, musical indie "Once," the critically acclaimed sleeper about an Irish busker and a 19-year old Czech immigrant who learn a few things while, quite literally making beautiful music together.

 

From no hope of breaking through the festival circuit, to heavy Sundance buzz, to an art house hit, the two musicians/non professional actors have now found themselves as Oscar contenders. Something they never had imagined.

 

Like the late great Elliott Smith before them (remember him in his white suit, standing next to Celine Dion? And losing?!), the refreshingly independent Hansard and Irglova will perform their duet "Falling Slowly" at Sunday's Oscars, where they have been nominated in the Best Original Song category.

 

I want them to win. And after interviewing them, I found that they want to win too -- as surreal as the experience seems to both.

 

Check out my video interview with Hansard and Irglova for MSN here.  Since this was a long talk, another video segment will follow soon.

 

And root for them this Sunday!